Article Of Clothing

ABSTRACT

A bra cover has a body portion configured to be worn around at least an upper part of user&#39;s torso and at least one shoulder strap attached to the body portion. The body portion has an inner fabric layer and an outer fabric layer. The bra cover has at least one opening in the inner fabric layer or outer fabric layer of the body portion through which band and cup portions of a bra may be inserted to be retained between the inner and outer fabric layers.

The invention relates to articles of clothing, particularly a cover for bras.

The modern brassiere or bra has been in mainstream production and use since the early 1900s. Main components of the standard bra include a band which wraps around the torso and supports two cups. The cups are held in place by two shoulder straps. The band may be fastened in the back, typically by hook and eye fasteners. In some variants, the bra may not include the shoulder straps (“strapless bra”), or may have detachable straps that may be removed or rearranged to change the configuration of the straps.

Bras are designed according to a set of standard, idealized measurements. Due to the wide variation in human anatomy, many users have difficulty finding a bra that fits well. There is often a clash between comfort (ie the support provided by the bra, the materials used, etc) and style. That is, a user's favourite bra (based on comfort) may not be suitably stylish to be worn with clothing that displays parts of the bra, eg the bra straps. The user may also wish to change the appearance of their favourite bra depending on the rest of the user's outfit.

In this context, there is a need for articles of clothing and methods for covering, concealing and/or disguising the appearance of a bra without affecting the support provided by the bra.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bra cover comprising:

a body portion configured to be worn around at least an upper part of user's torso, the body portion comprising an inner fabric layer and an outer fabric layer;

at least one shoulder strap attached to the body portion, and

at least one opening in the inner fabric layer or outer fabric layer of the body portion through which band and cup portions of a bra may be inserted to be retained between the inner and outer fabric layers.

Said at least one opening may be configured such that the band and cup portions of the bra may be removably inserted.

The opening may be in the inner fabric layer.

The body portion may be in the form of a substantially hollow tube configured such that the band and cup portions of the bra, when inserted, extend around the entire circumference of the tube.

The shoulder strap may comprise an inner fabric layer, an outer fabric layer, and at least one opening in the inner fabric layer or outer fabric layer of the shoulder strap for receiving a strap of said bra.

Said at least one opening in the shoulder strap may be configured for removably receiving said strap of said bra.

Said at least one opening in the shoulder strap may be in the inner fabric layer.

The shoulder strap may comprise an upper fabric layer and at least one retention feature for retaining a strap of the bra under said upper layer in use.

The retention feature may comprise fabric loops attached to an underside of the upper fabric layer of the shoulder strap.

The shoulder strap may comprise an inner fabric layer and an outer fabric layer, and said opening(s) in the body portion and at least one opening in the inner fabric layer or outer fabric layer of the shoulder strap may be defined by fabric flaps cut out of respective said fabric layers, each flap having an opening end which is reversibly fastened to surrounding and/or underlying fabric.

The opening end of each flap may be reversibly fastened via one or more hook and eye fasteners.

The shoulder strap may be removably attached to the body portion.

The cover may comprise a further opening in the inner layer of the body portion.

At least one opening may be located in the front of the body portion and at least one other opening may be located at the back of the body portion.

At least the body portion may be seamless.

The inner fabric layer or outer fabric layer of the body portion may be laser cut to define said opening(s).

The inner fabric layer or outer fabric layer of the shoulder strap may be laser cut to define said opening(s).

The cover may further comprise retention means provided on the body portion for maintaining position of said band and cup portions of the bra between the inner and outer fabric layers of the body portion.

The retention means may comprise hooks for attaching to loops on said bra.

The cover may comprise an adjustable ruching portion on the body portion.

The cover may be configured to be worn as an undergarment.

The cover may be configured to be worn as one or more of a standalone upper body garment, a layering piece, a swimsuit top and a sportswear top.

In a further aspect, there is provided a method of concealing a bra using the cover described above, comprising inserting band and cup portions of the bra into the body portion via the opening(s) in the inner fabric layer or outer fabric layer of the body portion so that the band and cup portions of the bra is retained between the inner and outer fabric layers of the body portion.

The invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front of a bra cover according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates an underside of the front of the bra cover;

FIG. 3 illustrates a back of the bra cover;

FIG. 4 illustrates an underside of the back of the bra cover;

FIG. 5 illustrates a bra cover according to another embodiment in an unruched state;

FIG. 6 illustrates the bra cover of FIG. 5 in a ruched state;

FIG. 7 illustrates the underside of a front of a bra cover according to another embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates the underside of the back of the bra cover of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates a bra cover according to another embodiment in an unruched state;

FIG. 10 illustrates the bra cover of FIG. 9 in a ruched state;

FIG. 11 illustrates a bra cover according to another embodiment; and

FIG. 12 illustrate the underside of the front of the bra cover of FIG. 11.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, a bra cover 10 according to one embodiment comprises a body portion 2 configured to be worn around at least an upper part of user's torso, the body portion 2 comprising an inner fabric layer 4 (shown more clearly in FIG. 2 which illustrates an underside of the bra cover 10) and an outer fabric layer 6 (shown more clearly in FIG. 1 which illustrates an outside of the bra cover 10). The bra cover 10 also comprises at least one shoulder strap 8 attached to the body portion 2. There is at least one opening 12 in the inner fabric layer 4 of the body portion 2 through which band and cup portions of a bra (not shown) may be inserted, preferably removably, to be retained between the inner 4 and outer 6 fabric layers.

The body portion 2 is in the form of a substantially hollow tube, defining a continuous path between the inner fabric layer 4 and outer fabric layer 6 along the entire circumference of the tube so that the band and cup portions of the bra, when inserted, extend around the entire circumference of the tube. That is, unlike prior art camisoles or sportswear tops having internal front pockets for receiving bra cups, the present bra cover 10 receives at least the entire band and cup portions of a bra. Accordingly, the bra cover 10 may be used to cover and conceal different types of bras, and when worn, to provide the support and coverage of the bra being concealed.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the shoulder strap 8 of the bra cover 10 comprises an inner fabric layer 14, an outer fabric layer 16, and at least one opening 18 in the inner fabric layer 14 for receiving, preferably removably, a strap (not shown) of the bra (not shown).

Although the opening(s) 12 in the body portion 2 and/or the opening(s) 18 in the shoulder strap 8 are preferably provided in the inner fabric layer for better concealment of the opening(s), it will be appreciated that the opening(s) may alternatively be provided in the outer fabric layer 6, 16 respectively.

To use the bra cover 10, the user selects a bra (eg their favourite bra) to be inserted into the bra cover. For the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the bra must have removable straps. The user removes the straps from the bra and inserts the band and cup portions of the bra into the body portion 2, via the opening(s) 12, so that the portions are received between the inner 4 and outer 6 fabric layers. The user then inserts each bra strap into a shoulder strap 8 of the bra cover 10 via the opening(s) 18, and reattaches the ends of the bra strap to the band and cup portions of the bra. The bra cover 10 may then be donned, and the back fastener of the bra done up through the opening 12.

For ease of inserting a bra into the bra cover 10, it is envisaged that each of the body portion 2 and shoulder straps 8 comprises a plurality of openings, including at least one opening located in the front of each of the body portion and the shoulder straps and at least one other opening located at the back of each of the body portion and the shoulder straps. For example, for ease of reattaching the bra straps to the band and cup portions of the bra after each component has been inserted into the bra cover 10, openings are preferably provided where the body portion 2 intersects with the shoulder straps 8 at the front and back of the bra cover 10, approximately where the bra straps are attached to the bra.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the openings 12, 18 may be shaped to facilitate insertion of the band and cup portions and the strap portions of the bra, while maintaining substantial closure of the openings and preventing warping of the bra cover when worn. Specifically, the openings may be in the shape of elongated triangles or diamonds with the long dimension of the respective shape aligned with the direction of stretch of the fabric when the bra cover is worn. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the elongated diamond-shaped openings on the shoulder straps 8 are configured to substantially close up when worn, due to the downward stretch of the fabric, yet the substantial length of each diamond-shaped opening facilitates insertion of the strap portions of the bra. In other examples, the openings may include openings having a substantially elliptical or circular shape. In further examples, the openings may include an opening having a substantially square or a rounded square shape. The opening with the substantially square or rounded square shape is preferably located on the rear lining of the cover. In yet further examples, the openings may include a combination of openings having different shapes. In an embodiment, the edges of each opening are finished off with a Jacquard assisted knitting machine using a yarn of fabric same as the fabric used for constructing the cover.

In another embodiment, the shoulder strap 8 of the bra cover 10 comprises an upper fabric layer 20 and at least one retention feature 22 for retaining a strap of the bra under the upper layer 20 in use.

In one example, the retention feature 22 comprises fabric loops (not shown) attached to an underside of the upper fabric layer 20 of the shoulder strap 8. That is, instead of a substantially continuous inner layer of fabric underlying the upper layer 20, the discontinuous fabric loops, similar to the loops on a waistband for receiving a belt, facilitates threading through of the bra strap. In some embodiments, each fabric loop may be detachable at one end from the underside of the upper fabric layer 20, to further facilitate positioning of the bra strap. The detachable end of each fabric loop may be reversibly fastened to the upper fabric layer 20 via one or more fasteners such as a hook and eye closures, hook and loop fasteners, snap fasteners, etc.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate an embodiment that may be used with bras that do not have detachable shoulder straps. The body portion 2 and the shoulder straps 8 comprise an outer fabric layer 6, 16 respectively, and an inner fabric layer 4, 14 respectively, and fabric flaps 26 cut out of the inner fabric layers 4, 14. Each flap 26 has an opening end 28 which is reversibly fastened to surrounding and/or underlying fabric. The flaps 26 therefore define the openings 12 in the body portion 2 and the openings 18 the shoulder straps 8 for insertion of the band and cup portions and strap portions of the bra respectively. The reversible fastening may be effected via one or more fasteners such as hook and eye closures, hook and loop fasteners, snap fasteners, etc. In the schematic drawings of FIGS. 7 and 8, the dots 30 illustrate where such fasteners may be positioned. To use the bra cover 10, the opening ends of the fabric flaps 26 are unfastened, the bra (including attached shoulder straps) placed adjacent the inner face of the outer fabric layer, and the fabric flaps 26 re-fastened to secure the bra in place between the inner and outer fabric layers.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an embodiment comprising an adjustable ruching portion 32 with drawstring 34, provided along the centre of the front of body portion 2. This allows the user to vary the height of the top of the body portion 2, eg to match the necklines on various outerwear. The ruching portion 32 may alternatively or additionally be provided on the back of the body portion 2, to enable the wearer to customize the back neckline. FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an embodiment comprising similar ruching portions 32 at the sides of the body portion 2, for varying the depth of each armhole.

Although the accompanying drawings illustrate bra covers 10 with two shoulder straps 8, it will be appreciated that some embodiments may have a single shoulder strap, eg for use with one-shoulder dresses or tops. In some embodiments, the shoulder strap(s) 8 may be removably attached to the body portion, to enable the user to convert the bra cover 10 into single-shoulder or strapless configurations, and/or to allow for interchangeable shoulder straps.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a further embodiment in which the shoulder straps 8 of the cover do not function to conceal shoulder straps of a bra. Instead, a strapless bra may be inserted into the body portion 2, and held in place via retention means 36 provided on the body portion. The retention means may comprise, for example, hooks for attaching to existing loops on the bra.

The bra cover 10 may be constructed of any suitable fabric, preferably having one or more of the following properties: four-way stretch, resilience, sweat and moisture-wicking, odour-control, soft and smooth texture, lightweight and cooling properties. Preferably, the fabric is suitable for seamless construction, so that at least the body portion 2 may be seamless for increased comfort to the wearer. For example, the seams and straps of the cover may be constructed using circular knitting. The inner fabric layer is additionally preferably suitable for laser cutting. In preferred embodiments, the opening(s) 12, 18 in the body portion and/or the shoulder straps are laser cut, to provide accurate and clean lines with self-sealed edges. Additionally or alternatively, an edge of the opening(s) may be finished off with a Jacquard assisted knitting machine using a fabric that is the same as the fabric used for constructing the cover. In an embodiment, the cover may be constructed from recycled polyester and synthethic fibres (such as lycra). As an example, up to 95% of the fabric used for the constructing the cover is recycled polyester, preferably up to about 90%, with the balance of the fabric used for the cover being synthetic fibres. In another embodiment, the cover may be constructed from nylon and synthetic fibres (such as lycra). As an example, up to 95% of the fabric used for the constructing the cover is nylon, preferably up to about 90%, with the balance of the fabric used for the cover being synthetic fibres.

In some embodiments, the fabric of the bra cover 10 is sufficiently opaque and thick in order to substantially completely cover a bra. For example, a user's favourite bra may be an unsuitable colour for wearing under a white T-shirt or may have lace or other textures which may be unsuitable for wearing under a thin/sheer top. In this example, the bra cover 10 may be white, opaque, and suitably thick for covering the bra, thereby rendering it suitable for wearing under a white/thin/sheer top. In other embodiments, the bra cover 10 may be used to disguise or change the appearance of the bra. In such cases, the fabric of the bra cover 10 may be sheer, e.g. lacey, such that the bra is not substantially completely covered by the bra cover 10. The bra cover 10 is instead used to change/update the appearance of the bra.

The bra cover 10 may be worn as an undergarment. In addition to concealing the wearer's bra, the cover 10 may in some embodiments provide additional support, coverage, heating or cooling functionality, and/or an aesthetic or decorative quality. The bra cover 10 may also be configured to be worn as one or more of a standalone upper body garment, a layering piece, a support garment, a swimsuit top and a sportswear top.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of concealing a bra using the bra cover 10 described above. The method comprises inserting band and cup portions of the bra into the body portion 2 via the opening(s) 12 of the body portion such that the band and cup portions of the bra is retained between the inner 4 and outer 6 fabric layers of the body portion. If bra straps of the bra are also to be concealed, each bra strap is inserted into or positioned under a shoulder strap 8 of the bra cover via the openings 18 or via fabric loops.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavor to which this specification relates.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. 

1. A bra cover comprising: a body portion configured to be worn around at least an upper part of user's torso, the body portion comprising an inner fabric layer and an outer fabric layer; at least one shoulder strap attached to the body portion; and at least one opening in the inner fabric layer or outer fabric layer of the body portion through which band and cup portions of a bra may be inserted to be retained between the inner and outer fabric layers.
 2. The cover of claim 1, wherein said at least one opening is configured such that the band and cup portions of the bra may be removably inserted.
 3. The cover of claim 1, wherein the opening is in the inner fabric layer.
 4. The cover of claim 1, wherein the body portion is in the form of a substantially hollow tube configured such that the band and cup portions of the bra, when inserted, extend around the entire circumference of the tube.
 5. The cover of claim 1, wherein the shoulder strap comprises an inner fabric layer, an outer fabric layer, and at least one opening in the inner fabric layer or outer fabric layer of the shoulder strap for receiving a strap of said bra.
 6. The cover of claim 5, wherein said at least one opening in the shoulder strap is configured for removably receiving said strap of said bra.
 7. The cover of claim 5, wherein said at least one opening in the shoulder strap is in the inner fabric layer.
 8. The cover of claim 1, wherein the shoulder strap comprises an upper fabric layer and at least one retention feature for retaining a strap of the bra under said upper layer in use.
 9. The cover of claim 8, wherein the retention feature comprises fabric loops attached to an underside of the upper fabric layer of the shoulder strap.
 10. The cover of claim 1, wherein the shoulder strap comprises an inner fabric layer and an outer fabric layer, and wherein said opening(s) in the body portion and at least one opening in the inner fabric layer or outer fabric layer of the shoulder strap are defined by fabric flaps cut out of respective said fabric layers, each flap having an opening end which is reversibly fastened to surrounding and/or underlying fabric.
 11. The cover of claim 10, wherein the opening end of each flap is reversibly fastened via one or more hook and eye fasteners.
 12. The cover of claim 1, wherein the shoulder strap is removably attached to the body portion.
 13. The cover of claim 1, comprising a further opening in the inner layer of the body portion.
 14. The cover of claim 13, wherein at least one opening is located in the front of the body portion and at least one other opening is located at the back of the body portion.
 15. The cover of claim 1, wherein at least the body portion is seamless.
 16. The cover of claim 1, wherein the inner fabric layer or outer fabric layer of the body portion is laser cut to define said opening(s).
 17. The cover of claim 5, wherein the inner fabric layer or outer fabric layer of the shoulder strap is laser cut to define said opening(s).
 18. The cover of claim 1, further comprising retention means provided on the body portion for maintaining position of said band and cup portions of the bra between the inner and outer fabric layers of the body portion.
 19. The cover of claim 18, wherein the retention means comprises hooks for attaching to loops on said bra.
 20. The cover of claim 1, comprising an adjustable ruching portion on the body portion.
 21. The cover of claim 1, configured to be worn as an undergarment.
 22. The cover of claim 1, wherein the cover is configured to be worn as one or more of a standalone upper body garment, a layering piece, a swimsuit top and a sportswear top.
 23. A method of concealing a bra using the cover of claim 1, comprising inserting band and cup portions of the bra into the body portion via the opening(s) in the inner fabric layer or outer fabric layer of the body portion so that the band and cup portions of the bra is retained between the inner and outer fabric layers of the body portion. 